CANBERRA, Australia, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- The Australian government will review new anti-terror regulations banning the importation of body armor and other protective clothing.
The review comes amid protests by various interests groups that want more precise wording in the law to prevent misinterpretation and overzealous enforcement, which could lead to banning of industrial and sports protective items, The Australian reported
"We hope common sense will prevail and that items essential to a safe workplace in the meat industry are not affected," Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union national organizer Lee Norris said of the law."
The law, as it is written, bans importation of body armor, including protective vests, jackets and suits to protect against "a weapon." That term, however, is not adequately defined, groups said, and could be used to ban mailed gloves and aprons used in the meat industry, for example.
Fencing enthusiasts fear it could be used to ban protective helmets and vests, while Medieval re-enactment groups fear it could leave them without protective armor for jousting and combat re-enactments.
Australia had a pre-existing law banning the importation of bullet-proof vests.
